MetroParks Announces Passing of Long-Term Lanterman’s Mill Manager

It is with deep sadness that the MetroParks announces the passing of Lanterman’s Mill Manager, Greg O’ Neal. On Friday, May 12, 2023, Greg suffered a severe cardiac event while working and was transported to a local hospital where he later passed. Greg was a dedicated employee serving as the Lanterman’s Mill Manager for nearly 11 years. Greg will long be remembered as a fixture of Lanterman’s Mill where his dedication and passion for the MetroParks will be greatly missed by his colleagues and visitors alike.

Mill Creek MetroParks would like to thank first responders, MetroParks Police, and visitors for their quick response and efforts in providing their medical assistance.

Lanterman’s Mill will reopen to the public on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, during normal business hours of 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Notice of May Board Meeting

The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, May 8, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., in the Education Building – McMahon Hall, at the MetroParks Farm, on Rt. 46, in Canfield. The agenda will be available on the website after 2:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Mill Creek MetroParks Road Closures

The following roads in Mill Creek MetroParks will be closed to vehicular traffic as well as cyclists and pedestrians from approximately 6:30 a.m. until Noon on Sunday, April 23, 2023, for the Run Y-town 5- & 10-Mile Run:

  • Old Mill Drive
  • Kreider’s Entrance
  • West Newport Drive
  • East Newport Drive
  • Chestnut Hill Drive
  • East Golf Hike-Bike Trail and parking lots at Route 224 and Shields Rd.

Always use caution when driving on MetroParks roads as many of these roads are also used by pedestrians and bicyclists. Pedestrians and bicyclists should be reminded to also use caution and be aware of vehicular traffic when on these roads. For more information about Mill Creek MetroParks, visit our website at www.millcreekmetroparks.org.

Notice of MetroParks Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting

The Finance Citizens Advisory Committee to the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks will meet on Friday, April 21, 2023, at 2:30 p.m., in the Education Building – Classroom A, at the MetroParks Farm, on Rt. 46, in Canfield.

Mill Creek MetroParks Announces Date for Annual Farm Animal Baby Shower

Mill Creek MetroParks will be holding its annual Farm Animal Baby Shower at the MetroParks Farm (7574 Columbiana-Canfield Rd, Canfield) on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Sponsored by 21 WFMJ / WBCB, this is a family-friendly event. Families are encouraged to visit the barns, free of charge, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. to meet new arrivals at the MetroParks Farm including goats, piglets, calves, chicks, alpacas, peacocks, and more. There will also be mother animals who are still expecting, a cow to milk and rabbits to pet from 4-H Junior Fair Participants. Mill Creek MetroParks merchandise, tractor wagon rides, cones with feed for animal feedings, concession trailers and drinks will be available for purchase. Parking is free on-site with additional parking available across the street at the Canfield Fairgrounds.

The barns at the MetroParks Farm are now open daily to the public for viewing of the animals from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., with extended hours until 6 p.m. from June – October.

Bears Den Run Stream Rehabilitation Project

Beginning on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, West Park Drive will be closed between Lily Pond Drive and West Glacier Drive to facilitate the Bears Den Run stream restoration project. This project includes stream restoration along the channel of the Bears Den Run tributary and work within the historic footprint of Mirror Pond.

This project is anticipated to be completed within 10 days. In the event of inclement weather, the work schedule will be delayed and adjusted accordingly.

Notice of April Board Meeting

The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, April 10, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., in the Education Building – McMahon Hall, at the MetroParks Farm, on Rt. 46, in Canfield. The agenda will be available on the website after 2:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Recent wind storms wreak havoc on trees throughout Mill Creek Park

A drive through Mill Creek Park on Thursday showed tree damage and sawed off logs along the sides of roads. The last two Saturdays did a number on Mill Creek’s trees. All the roads are back open, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.

Mill Creek MetroParks operations director Justin Rogers said they’re seeing damage all over the place, including the Par 3 golf course, where one example was a damaged fence.

“Comes down, damages it. Fence line, guard rail posts, sidewalks,” he said.

Twenty-five trees fell on the Par 3 golf course, the scars of which were everywhere, and this was just one section of the park.

“For instance, last Sunday we had the Mill Creek Distance Classic on that Sunday. We had crews out all day Saturday and the early morning hours of Sunday just opening up the roads,” Rogers said.

Driving south, all along the way, there were fresh logs along the roads, and they haven’t even started clearing the trails.

“There’s actually a fifth one that’s buried back in there,” Rogers said.

At the Lake Newport wetlands, the men’s restroom was heavily damaged by a spruce tree, though, the restroom was to be replaced this year anyway. Of all the trees that fell, a lot of them were spruce.

“Yes, I think this was probably the number one species that we’ve seen impacted by the winds,” Rogers said.

Along West Golf Drive, near the main golf course, were two large spruces that were knocked over, their root bases pointing 12 feet skyward.

Rogers knows of 200 trees that had to be dealt with, but how many were lost throughout the entire park?

“I couldn’t even fathom a guess,” Rogers said.

All the wood from the downed trees will be sold or donated. The trees deep in the woods will not be moved.

“I think back-to-back like this is probably more damage and impactful that I’ve seen in 20 years,” Rogers said.

Rogers says Mill Creek MetroParks has used 900 man hours so far dealing with the storm damage. He wanted to thank the park employees who worked diligently to get it all cleared.

The Mill Creek Metroparks Foundation is looking for help to reforest the park after hundreds of trees were lost due to the recent storms. The park system is hoping to replace them with help from donations.

A Tree Trust has been established, and you can make donations online at lovemillcreek.org.

Patty Coller contributed to this report.

 

Read the original article at WKBN.

Ford Nature Center set to reopen

The Ford Nature Center has been a staple for all things nature education in Mill Creek MetroParks since it opened in the early 1970s. After a multi-year renovation project, the nature center is ready to open once again.

“Mill Creek Park is unique, it’s special. What we want to do is promote what people have in their own backyard, says Justin Rogers, Director of Planning and Operations with the MetroParks.

The historic property got a state-of-the-art remodel, with a focus on the preservation of the historic nature of the building built back in the early 20th century.

“It’s state of the art where we incorporate a lot of interactive displays. It also preserved a lot of the history in terms of the architecture and cultural significance of the grounds,’ adds Rogers.

Whether it’s birdwatching or bringing your class to the all-new outdoor classroom here at Ford Nature Center, the list of resources the newly renovated center has to offer is pretty long.

“We also have two multiuse classrooms that were in the former garage. The exterior spaces include a new green roof, several outdoor classrooms, an improvement trail for all peoples, an accessible trail throughout the woods, and a lot of native plantings throughout the site,” says Rogers.

With this renovation, Mill Creek MetroParks has big plans for the future of nature education with the Ford Nature Center at the center of those plans.

Information on where to spot plants and wildlife throughout the Metroparks is on display on the bottom floor. You’ll even spot a large rock, unearthed during the renovation, that is estimated to be over three-hundred million years old.

“Our objective was to bring all the nature education for the MetroParks into one place. Whether you come here and take a self-guided or you’re part of a program or a class, we wanted the Ford Nature Center to be the resource for nature education in the area,” says Rogers.

The Ford Nature Center will celebrate its grand re-opening to the public on Saturday, April 22nd, with a ribbon cutting at 10:00 a.m. The Ford Nature Center is located at 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, Ohio.

Read the original article at WFMJ.

East Golf Hike & Bike Trail Parking Lot Improvements

Beginning Monday, April 10, 2023, the East Golf Hike & Bike Trail south parking lot off Boardman-Canfield Road (US Route 224) will be closed for parking lot improvements. Work will consist of earthwork, installation of stormwater conduit, asphalt surfacing, a new parking lot entry drive off Pinewood Drive, and miscellaneous related items.

Additional parking for the trail can be found at the East Golf north parking lot off Shields Road and at the Fording parking lot on W. Golf Drive, across from the golf course field house.

The project is expected to last approximately sixty (60) days in total, barring any inclement weather that would delay or prolong the anticipated project schedule.